BETTING NBA
01:36 PM, January 3, 2023

Who Leads the NBA In Blocks This Season?

Zachary Cook Zachary Cook

There are plenty of great shot blockers in the NBA, and some have already begun to separate themselves in the race for the most blocks this season.

Defense is integral and can’t be understated, demonstrating the importance of these big men in their efforts to protect the paint. 

Who Leads the NBA In Blocks This Season?

Rank Player Team Blocks
1 Brook Lopez Milwaukee Bucks 90
2 Nicolas Claxton Brooklyn Nets 82
3. (Tie) Walker Kessler Utah Jazz 66
3. (Tie) Myles Turner Indiana Pacers 66
5 Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis Grizzlies 63
6 Bol Bol Orlando Magic 58
7 Kristaps Porzingis Washington Wizards 55
8. (Tie) Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers 53
8. (Tie) Mitchell Robinson New York Knicks 53
10. (Tie) Kevin Durant Brooklyn Nets 52
10. (Tie) Ivica Zubac Los Angeles Clippers 52
12. (Tie) Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers 46
12. (Tie) Daniel Gafford Washington Wizards 46
14 Evan Mobley Cleveland Cavaliers 45
15. (Tie) Bismack Biyombo Phoenix Suns 41
15. (Tie) Christian Koloko Toronto Raptors 41
15. (Tie) Aleksej Pokusevski Oklahoma City Thunder 41
18. (Tie) Rudy Gobert Minnesota Timberwolves 40
18. (Tie) P.J. Washington Charlotte Hornets 40
20 Steven Adams Memphis Grizzlies 39
21 Jaden McDaniels Minnesota Timberwolves 38
22 Jarrett Allen Cleveland Cavaliers 37
23. (Tie) Clint Capela Atlanta Hawks 36
23. (Tie) John Collins Atlanta Hawks 36
23. (Tie) Onyeka Okongwu Atlanta Hawks 36

It was a solid finish to end 2022 for Brook Lopez, who saw excellent progress over his last three games. The Milwaukee Bucks center recorded nine blocks throughout that span, including back-to-back four-block games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls. There are still others breathing down Lopez’s neck to lead the NBA in blocks this year, but more weeks like this last one will go a long way in stabilizing his lead.

Nicolas Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets has continued to break out as one of the top shot-blocking big men in the NBA. Despite Lopez having a strong three games over the last week, Claxton put a dent into his lead and has continued to cement himself in the second spot. The 23-year-old had a banner week on the defensive end of the court, tallying 14 blocks, which included multiple six-block games against the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. At the end of December, Claxton saw a bump in his minutes, which has translated on the stat sheet.

Rounding out the top three are Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, with 66 blocks. Both players are relatively far back of Lopez and Claxton, but they’ve still had some nice stretches of defensive play. Kessler finished the week with six blocks in four games, while Turner compiled ten blocks over four games, including a six-block outburst over the Cleveland Cavaliers.